The demise of the festive drama was proclaimed as early as the festivities celebrating the 700th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation (in 1991). However, festive dramas are a popular way of marking historic anniversaries and are still quite common in Switzerland.
The aim of the research project is to further – from a theatrical, sociological, and historical perspective – the discourse surrounding the practice of festive drama in Switzerland from 1987 to the present. The focus, by way of example, is on «Der Dreizehnte Ort» (The Thirteenth Place), the festive drama performed as part of the celebrations to mark the 500th anniversary of Appenzell-Innerrhoden and Appenzell-Ausserrhoden in Hundwil. To what extent is this a reflection of cultural identity? How do festive dramas take shape in terms of the interaction between individual professionals and non-professional performers? How is festive drama developed as a form of theatre during the process of rehearsal and during actual performances?